August 20, Tuesday

AFTER I sold the extra eggs at Coleman's grocery, I walked back to the borrowed bike, intent on getting back to the house to begin rewriting the pages I'd lost.

The power company had come out to repair the transformer, but now the stove was on the blink and the air conditioner wasn't working. I'd called the property listing company and left two unreturned messages.

I walked the bike past a sign that read ‘Sophia's Jewelry.' A memory cord pinged. Sophia was Rose's mother's name… and in the obituary didn't it say the couple had owned a jewelry store?

I parked the bike, then stepped inside the store that was surprisingly full of merchandise. A woman came from the back and gave me a welcoming smile. "Hello. Can I help you?"

"I was just looking," I said, ad-libbing. "Do you have any unusual stones?"

"I have precious stones, semi-precious stones, and crystals," she said, gesturing to the cases. "Did you have something particular in mind?"

I smiled. "Something for good luck?"

She smiled. "That would be citrine." She pulled out a tray of yellow crystals.

They were beautiful, I conceded. And compelling. I reached out to touch several of them, expecting a spark. But the stone was cool and smooth… comforting.

"Do people just buy loose crystals?"

"Sometimes," she said. "To put under a pillow, or in a pocket. They're more effective if they're nearby." She gestured to racks of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. "Of course, it's convenient to just wear the crystals you prefer."

"Did Sophia Whisper use to own this store?"

The woman's smile fell a little. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Are you related to Sophia?"

"No. My family bought the store after Sophia… died. My last name is Benson. Franny Benson."

I tried to hide my surprise. "Are you related to Tilda Benson?"

Her mouth twitched downward. "Tilda is my sister, but that's where the similarity ends."

The door opened and another customer entered. Franny excused herself, and I took the opportunity to take my leave with a mental note to return soon.

So Franny wasn't keen on the witchy ways of her sister.

And in fact, sold good luck charms to ward off bad juju.